Bernard Pollard's hit on Tom Brady would have been a 15-yard penalty under a new rule. (AP)

Beginning this season, defensive players on the ground during a passing play can’t lunge at a quarterback’s knees and make contact with their helmet or shoulder. The result is a 15-yard penalty. Defenders can swipe at the quarterback’s knees with their arm. But a lunge is a penalty.

Defenders must now get back to their feet and make a play. Again, no lunging; that’s the key. If they get blocked into the quarterback’s knees, that’s OK. But you can’t lunge at the quarterback’s knees and make contact with the helmet or shoulder.

It’s a good rule in that it protects quarterbacks. But the bottom line is a defensive player who got blocked to the ground near a quarterback is basically out of the play unless he gets back on his feet. But by that time the ball is probably gone. Sure, the defender can swipe, but how much will that affect the pass?

Defensive linemen and blitzing linebackers will likely go crazy as NFL referees make their way through training camps and explain that new rule (the Dolphins get their session tonight) as well as others. Responses should be very interesting.

There are other rule changes. Another one is three-man wedges aren’t allowed on kickoff returns. There’s going to be a crackdown on taunting in all forms, and there are restrictions on hits to the head with the forearm, helmet or shoulder. There’s also a new emphasis on holding.

But I’m thinking this ‘Brady rule’ is going to generate a lot of talk.

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[…] of the season opener at least. Game officials will be enforcing a new rule this season, nicknamed “The Brady Rule”, which prohibits defensive players on the ground from lunging at the quarterback’s knees. On […]